2001 Total Solar Eclipse

Photo Gallery B

Photographs by Fred Espenak

2001 Total Solar EclipseThis photo is a composite made from 22 separate negatives. The image has been computer processed to emphasize and reveal subtle details and structures in the solar corona. The dark side of the Moon is also revealed through long multiple exposures and digital processing. (This photo was choosen as the Astronomy Picture of the Day - 2001 September 07 )

An assortment of Fred Espenak's photographs of the total solar eclipse of 2001 June 21 are featured on this page. Click on each thumbnail image to see a larger photo. For more images, please visit 2001 Solar Eclipse Photo Gallery A.

The Moon's shadow swept acros southern Africa where totality lasted from three to four minutes. Espenak's report from Chisamba, ZAMBIA describes the eclipse in detail.Many other eye-witness accounts can be found on MrEclipse's 2001 Eclipse reports page.

In recent years, Fred has begun to experiment with image enhancement techniques through computer processing. This permits a much more realistic representation of the solar corona's appearance to the naked eye. For more information about image enhancement techniques, see Digital Composites for Solar Eclipsesand 2001 Eclipse Composite Photo.

The entire eclipse is captured in a matrix of thirty-five images, taken approximately every five minutes throughout the event. The diamond ring at each contact is included while the corona has been computer enhanced to show subtle details and prominences.

The northern region of the 2001 corona shows a wealth of details. Twenty-two separate negatives were computer processed to reveal the subtle structure of corona produced by the Sun's intense magnetic fields. The huge red prominence to the left is larger than the Earth. (see: 2001 Composite Photo).

The ghost-like images of Pat Totten and Fred Espenak are captured in the eerie glow of totality as they operate their photographic equipment. Totality only lasted three and a half minutes, so the observers had to work quickly to record their images.

A computer enhanced image of the solar corona was created by combining twenty-two separate negatives into a single photograph. This highly exagerated version reveals a wealth of subtle details and streamers in the corona. Even features on the dark face of the Moon are visible. The faint star one diameter east (left) of the eclipsed Sun is the magnitude 4.2 star 1 Geminorum. This photo was choosen as the Astronomy Picture of the Day - 2001 September 07.

Two cameras were used to create this dramtic view of the eclipse above Chisamba, ZAMBIA. One camera captured totality and a thorn acacia tree while the second camera recorded the partial phases at 5 minute intervals through a solar filter.

As the end of totality nears, the ruby red chromosphere reappears along the 3rd contact limb.Within seconds, the first bead of sunlight will blaze into view and the corona will quickly fade in its glare.

Totality ends and the corona is quickly lost from view in the glare of the 3rd contact diamond ring. Nevertheless, if the blindingly bright solar crescent is blocked with the hand or a nearby tree, the corona can still be seen a minute or more after totality ends.

Eleven images capture various phases of the eclipse from start to finish. The eight partial phases were shot using a solar filter while the start, middle and end of totality were photographed with the filter removed.The central image of the corona during totality is a composite of 22 separate negatives which reveal subtle details and structures in the Sun's atmosphere.

Twenty-two separate eclipse negatives were computer processed to reveal coronal detail. This photograph combines the SOHO/LASCO images of the middle and outer corona with Espenak's inner corona composite. A special photo key identifies primary features in this compound image.

This compound image demonstrates that ground-based eclipse photographs have higher resolution and can capture inner regions of the corona not accessible by spacecraft like SOHO.